Nearly three decades after his breakthrough performance as the brooding, quintessential college heartthrob Ben Covington on the WB network’s seminal drama Felicity, Canadian actor Scott Speedman has firmly solidified his transition into a seasoned leading man. Following years of pivotal supporting roles in high-profile series such as TNT’s Animal Kingdom and the recent supernatural thriller Teacup, Speedman is currently commanding the spotlight as both the star and an executive producer of the ABC procedural drama R.J. Decker.
The series, which is adapted by Elementary creator Rob Doherty from Carl Hiaasen’s 1991 satirical novel Double Whammy, features Speedman as the titular protagonist. In the narrative, R.J. Decker is a former photojournalist and ex-convict who attempts to navigate the complex, often corrupt underbelly of South Florida as a private investigator. The show’s premiere season, which aired during the spring television cycle, emerged as a significant ratings success for ABC, marking the network’s most-watched 10 p.m. time slot debut in more than five years.
The Evolution of R.J. Decker in Season Two
While the inaugural season of R.J. Decker focused heavily on the mechanics of the protagonist’s post-prison rehabilitation and his entry into the world of private investigation, the sophomore season is slated to adopt a more introspective tone. Production is currently underway in Wilmington, North Carolina, for a seven-episode run, with the creative team shifting the narrative focus toward the character’s internal motivations and familial history.
A central mystery for the second season involves the death of Victor Ochoa, portrayed by David Zayas. Ochoa, a corrupt political figure, also serves as the father to Emi, played by Jaina Lee Ortiz. The relationship between R.J. and Emi remains a primary tension point; their shared history includes the pivotal testimony that ultimately led to R.J.’s original incarceration. By exploring the fallout of the Ochoa investigation, the showrunners aim to peel back the layers of R.J.’s resilience and his complicated moral compass.
Introducing the Familial Element: The Casting of Beau Bridges
A major development for the upcoming season is the introduction of R.J.’s estranged father, Reggie, played by veteran character actor Beau Bridges. According to Speedman, the arrival of this new character provides a necessary catalyst for examining R.J.’s formative years and the unresolved trauma that influences his current demeanor.
The dynamic between the two characters is described as strained and historically charged. In the narrative, the two have not spoken in approximately five years. Speedman notes that the presence of his onscreen father forces R.J. to regress into familiar, adolescent patterns of conflict, highlighting the psychological toll of his past. The inclusion of Bridges is intended to ground the procedural elements of the show in character-driven drama, offering viewers a clearer understanding of how the protagonist developed his specific survival instincts.
The Shift to Executive Production
Speedman’s role in the series marks his first foray into executive production, a position he is navigating with a measured approach. Unlike many instances in the television industry where a producer credit functions as a vanity title, Speedman acknowledges the collaborative nature of the production while deferring to the seasoned expertise of showrunners Rob Doherty and Carl Hiaasen.
"I’m just learning what it means to be an executive producer on a show," Speedman stated. "There is a creative space that it opens up, but we are running and gunning, and I trust Rob and Carl completely."
The show’s creative guardrails remain firmly in place: the writers focus on the high-stakes reality of R.J.’s legal status. Because he is a convicted felon, every move he makes as a private investigator carries the looming threat of returning to prison. This constant tension serves as the narrative engine for the series, ensuring that the character’s tendency to break rules—often for altruistic reasons—remains fraught with real-world consequences.
Maintaining the Grey’s Anatomy Connection
Despite his expanded responsibilities on R.J. Decker, Speedman continues his recurring role as Dr. Nick Marsh on the long-running ABC medical drama Grey’s Anatomy. The character, who is currently the fiancé of the show’s central figure, Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo), remains an integral, if sporadic, presence in the medical series.
The proximity of both productions—which are housed under the same studio and network umbrella—has allowed for a managed scheduling system. Speedman utilizes a block-filming approach to satisfy his commitments to both sets. He expresses a profound sense of loyalty to the Grey’s Anatomy team, noting that his resurgence in television is intrinsically linked to his return to the show and his partnership with Pompeo.
Regarding the dramatic proposal scene between Meredith and Nick at the end of the previous season, Speedman offered a candid perspective on the character’s reaction. He noted that the moment felt less like a traditional, high-production wedding proposal and more like a visceral, reactionary acknowledgement of a near-death experience. He maintains that while the show’s writers hold the keys to the future of the characters, the chemistry and commitment between Nick and Meredith appear to be a cornerstone of their current narrative trajectory.
The Prospect of a Felicity Revival
With the 30th anniversary of the cult-classic series Felicity approaching in the coming years, speculation regarding a revival remains a recurring topic in media interviews. Speedman and his former co-stars, including Keri Russell, have historically expressed mutual affection for the project and a willingness to explore a reunion, provided the logistical hurdles can be overcome.
"I think if all of us could push a button and do something, we’d all be game," Speedman remarked. He highlighted the difficulty of aligning the schedules of a cast and creative team that includes highly sought-after industry figures like J.J. Abrams and Matt Reeves. Regarding the potential trajectory of his character, Ben Covington, Speedman suggests that a mature, perhaps fractured, relationship with Felicity would be more narratively compelling than a simple, idealized reunion.
Industry Implications and Future Outlook
The success of R.J. Decker signals a broader trend in network television, where established actors are increasingly taking on dual roles as leads and producers to ensure narrative consistency across multi-season arcs. By grounding a procedural format in a character-heavy, serialised backstory, the series avoids the repetitive pitfalls of traditional "case-of-the-week" television.
The show’s performance in the 10 p.m. hour is a vital metric for ABC, as it demonstrates that audiences remain engaged with traditional, star-driven procedurals despite the proliferation of streaming-only content. As R.J. Decker heads into its second season, the focus on character interiority—specifically through the lens of family dynamics and past legal transgressions—is expected to further cement the show’s place in the competitive landscape of network dramas.
With production scheduled to conclude in late September, the industry will be watching to see if this pivot toward character-focused procedural storytelling yields sustained growth. For Scott Speedman, the project represents a milestone: a shift from the supporting roles that defined his mid-career to a position of creative agency and leadership that reflects his decades of experience in the industry.
R.J. Decker airs on Tuesdays at 10/9c on ABC, while the upcoming season of Grey’s Anatomy is scheduled to debut on Thursdays at 10/9c.
